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Low-Cost High-Performance Hall Thruster Support System

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNX10CD05P
Agency Tracking Number: 095923
Amount: $99,634.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: S3.04
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2009
Award Year: 2010
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2010-01-29
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2010-07-29
Small Business Information
120 Commerce Drive, Unit 3
Fort Collins, CO 80524-4731
United States
DUNS: 102723348
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Bryce Hesterman
 Principal Investigator
 (970) 482-0191
 bryce.hesterman@c-pwr.com
Business Contact
 Geoffrey Drummond
Title: President
Phone: (970) 482-0191
Email: geoff@c-pwr.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Colorado Power Electronics is in the process of completing NASA SBIR contract NNC07CA12C Wide Output Range Power Processing Unit for Electric Propulsion. At the end of the project, we will have a complete brassboard PPU except for the Digital Control and Interface Unit (DCIU) and Flow Control Driver. The brassboard PPU meets the electrical requirements of the project, but the specific mass is about 20% too low compared to the first bullet of the solicitation. Preliminary results from testing a 4 kW discharge supply show that the full-power efficiency ranges from 94% to 96%.
This proposal is to:
(1) Determine ways to reduce the mass of the brassboard PPU
(2) Evaluate the brassboard PPU to determine robustness improvements to be implemented in Phase II.
(3) Determine requirements for a DCIU to be implemented in Phase II.
(4) Design and build a brassboard Flow Control Driver
(5) Gain experience in controlling gas flow

The Flow Control Driver will be designed to control a xenon gas flow system selected by NASA. The DCIU design will be based on requirements received from NASA.

The significance of this project is that it makes improvements to an innovative and promising PPU technology, moving it closer to a flight-ready product, while also facilitating NASA research with advanced flow controls.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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